Best Nutrition/Dietician Careers + Salary Outlook

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What We Do

Dietitians or nutritionists are responsible for planning programs for food and nutrition, from coming up with healthy diets, to teaching people how their choices in food and meals can impact their health. As obesity continues to be a major health issue throughout both children and adults in the United States, these healthcare professionals are in high demand when it comes to teaching the public how to eat better. Their jobs revolve around teaching people how to avoid eating the wrong foods, as overeating is not the only issue that can compromise health.

Work Environment

Most dietitians or nutritionists can find careers working within community agencies, colleges, schools, private practices, company cafeterias, and even a variety of different healthcare facilities, depending on how they want to pursue their careers.

How to Become a Nutrition/Dietician

The easiest way to officially become a dietitian or nutritionist, is to earn your bachelor’s degree in food and nutrition, dietetics, or a related field. Some people choose to look into bachelor’s degrees in food service systems management instead. Of course, if you want to open yourself up to a range of good career opportunities, then you will also need to decide whether you would like to become a registered dietitian or nutritionist.

Training & Certification Requirements

To become a registered dietitian or nutritionist, you’ll need to earn the Registered Dietitian Nutritionist or Registered Dietitian credential, administered by the Commission on Dietetic Registration. To earn these credentials, individuals need to hold an accredited bachelor’s degree, complete supervised practice, pass their national examination, and ensure they complete continuing requirements for education. RDs are able to maintain their status by completing professional education requirements on a continuing basis, by upgrading their knowledge regularly. Importantly, nutritionists who have already graduated from a doctoral degree or master’s degree program, and have earned at least 1,000 hours of experience will be eligible to earn the certified nutrition specialist credential which is offered by the Certification Board of Nutrition Specialists.

Nutrition/Dietician Related Job Titles

According to Indeed.com, the following career/job titles with salary figures are most closely related to Nutrition/Dietician.

Career/Job Title	Average Salary
Dietician	$52,000

Nutrition/Dietician Earning Potential

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the median wage for dietitians and nutritionists in May 2015 was approximately $57,910 per year. However, the higher your education and experience levels are, the more likely you are to earn a higher wage.

Nutrition/Dietician Job Outlook

Employment for nutritionists and dietitians is projected to grow at a rate of around 16% between the years of 2014 and 2024. This rate is much faster than in other occupations, and this is partially due to the fact that people are recognizing the role of food in treating illnesses such as diabetes and chronic disease.

According to Indeed.com, the average national salary of jobs for Nutrition/Dietician was $64,000.00 with a high confidence ranking based on over 250 sources. Average Nutrition/Dietician salaries for job postings nationwide are 12% higher than average salaries for all job postings nationwide.

Nutrition/Dietician Salary by State

The following lists Nutrition/Dietician salaries in each state around the country. The figures are based on the total number of job postings by employers through Indeed.com. For example, DC had the largest quoted salary of $81,000 while Hawaii had the smallest quoted salary of $40,000.

Alaska – $47,000
(Low Confidence (less than 75 sources))

Rank: 49th

Average Nutrition/Dietician salaries for job postings in Alaska are 26% lower than average Nutrition/Dietician salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 49th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like .

In USD as of September 1, 2016		60k	120k	180k
Nutrition/Dietician	$47,000	.

Alabama – $65,000
(Low Confidence (less than 75 sources))

Rank: 15th

Average Nutrition/Dietician salaries for job postings in Alabama are 1% higher than average Nutrition/Dietician salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 15th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like .

In USD as of September 1, 2016		60k	120k	180k
Nutrition/Dietician	$65,000	.

Arkansas – $66,000
(Low Confidence (less than 75 sources))

Rank: 12th

Average Nutrition/Dietician salaries for job postings in Arkansas are 2% higher than average Nutrition/Dietician salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 12th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like .

In USD as of September 1, 2016		60k	120k	180k
Nutrition/Dietician	$66,000	.

Arizona – $53,000
(Low Confidence (less than 75 sources))

Rank: 44th

Average Nutrition/Dietician salaries for job postings in Arizona are 18% lower than average Nutrition/Dietician salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 44th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like .

In USD as of September 1, 2016		60k	120k	180k
Nutrition/Dietician	$53,000	.

California – $69,000
(Low Confidence (less than 75 sources))

Rank: 8th

Average Nutrition/Dietician salaries for job postings in California are 7% higher than average Nutrition/Dietician salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 8th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Medifast Weight Control Centers of California and Medifast Weight Control Centers.

In USD as of September 1, 2016		60k	120k	180k
Nutrition/Dietician	$69,000	.

Colorado – $57,000
(Low Confidence (less than 75 sources))

Rank: 37th

Average Nutrition/Dietician salaries for job postings in Colorado are 11% lower than average Nutrition/Dietician salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 37th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like .

In USD as of September 1, 2016		60k	120k	180k
Nutrition/Dietician	$57,000	.

Connecticut – $74,000
(Low Confidence (less than 75 sources))

Rank: 4th

Average Nutrition/Dietician salaries for job postings in Connecticut are 15% higher than average Nutrition/Dietician salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 4th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like .

In USD as of September 1, 2016		60k	120k	180k
Nutrition/Dietician	$74,000	.

DC – $81,000
(Low Confidence (less than 75 sources))

Rank: 1st

Average Nutrition/Dietician salaries for job postings in Washington, DC are 25% higher than average Nutrition/Dietician salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 1st among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like .

In USD as of September 1, 2016		60k	120k	180k
Nutrition/Dietician	$81,000	.

Delaware – $57,000
(Low Confidence (less than 75 sources))

Rank: 38th

Average Nutrition/Dietician salaries for job postings in Delaware are 12% lower than average Nutrition/Dietician salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 38th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like .

In USD as of September 1, 2016		60k	120k	180k
Nutrition/Dietician	$57,000	.

Florida – $60,000
(Low Confidence (less than 75 sources))

Rank: 28th

Average Nutrition/Dietician salaries for job postings in Florida are 7% lower than average Nutrition/Dietician salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 28th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Florida Hospital.

In USD as of September 1, 2016		60k	120k	180k
Nutrition/Dietician	$60,000	.

Georgia – $74,000
(Low Confidence (less than 75 sources))

Rank: 5th

Average Nutrition/Dietician salaries for job postings in Georgia are 14% higher than average Nutrition/Dietician salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 5th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like .

In USD as of September 1, 2016		60k	120k	180k
Nutrition/Dietician	$74,000	.

Hawaii – $40,000
(Low Confidence (less than 75 sources))

Rank: 51st

Average Nutrition/Dietician salaries for job postings in Hawaii are 38% lower than average Nutrition/Dietician salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 51st among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like .

In USD as of September 1, 2016		60k	120k	180k
Nutrition/Dietician	$40,000	.

Iowa – $63,000
(Low Confidence (less than 75 sources))

Rank: 20th

Average Nutrition/Dietician salaries for job postings in Iowa are 2% lower than average Nutrition/Dietician salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 20th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like .

In USD as of September 1, 2016		60k	120k	180k
Nutrition/Dietician	$63,000	.

Idaho – $42,000
(Low Confidence (less than 75 sources))

Rank: 50th

Average Nutrition/Dietician salaries for job postings in Idaho are 34% lower than average Nutrition/Dietician salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 50th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like .

In USD as of September 1, 2016		60k	120k	180k
Nutrition/Dietician	$42,000	.

Illinois – $73,000
(Low Confidence (less than 75 sources))

Rank: 6th

Average Nutrition/Dietician salaries for job postings in Illinois are 13% higher than average Nutrition/Dietician salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 6th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like .

In USD as of September 1, 2016		60k	120k	180k
Nutrition/Dietician	$73,000	.

Indiana – $62,000
(Low Confidence (less than 75 sources))

Rank: 21st

Average Nutrition/Dietician salaries for job postings in Indiana are 4% lower than average Nutrition/Dietician salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 21st among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like .

In USD as of September 1, 2016		60k	120k	180k
Nutrition/Dietician	$62,000	.

Kansas – $59,000
(Low Confidence (less than 75 sources))

Rank: 29th

Average Nutrition/Dietician salaries for job postings in Kansas are 9% lower than average Nutrition/Dietician salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 29th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like .

In USD as of September 1, 2016		60k	120k	180k
Nutrition/Dietician	$59,000	.

Kentucky – $56,000
(Low Confidence (less than 75 sources))

Rank: 39th

Average Nutrition/Dietician salaries for job postings in Kentucky are 14% lower than average Nutrition/Dietician salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 39th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like .

In USD as of September 1, 2016		60k	120k	180k
Nutrition/Dietician	$56,000	.

Louisiana – $58,000
(Low Confidence (less than 75 sources))

Rank: 32nd

Average Nutrition/Dietician salaries for job postings in Louisiana are 11% lower than average Nutrition/Dietician salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 32nd among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like .

In USD as of September 1, 2016		60k	120k	180k
Nutrition/Dietician	$58,000	.

Massachusetts – $78,000
(Low Confidence (less than 75 sources))

Rank: 2nd

Average Nutrition/Dietician salaries for job postings in Massachusetts are 20% higher than average Nutrition/Dietician salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 2nd among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like .

In USD as of September 1, 2016		60k	120k	180k
Nutrition/Dietician	$78,000	.

Maryland – $66,000
(Low Confidence (less than 75 sources))

Rank: 11th

Average Nutrition/Dietician salaries for job postings in Maryland are 3% higher than average Nutrition/Dietician salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 11th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like .

In USD as of September 1, 2016		60k	120k	180k
Nutrition/Dietician	$66,000	.

Maine – $57,000
(Low Confidence (less than 75 sources))

Rank: 33rd

Average Nutrition/Dietician salaries for job postings in Maine are 12% lower than average Nutrition/Dietician salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 33rd among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like .

In USD as of September 1, 2016		60k	120k	180k
Nutrition/Dietician	$57,000	.

Michigan – $65,000
(Low Confidence (less than 75 sources))

Rank: 13th

Average Nutrition/Dietician salaries for job postings in Michigan are 1% higher than average Nutrition/Dietician salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 13th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like .

In USD as of September 1, 2016		60k	120k	180k
Nutrition/Dietician	$65,000	.

Minnesota – $56,000
(Low Confidence (less than 75 sources))

Rank: 40th

Average Nutrition/Dietician salaries for job postings in Minnesota are 13% lower than average Nutrition/Dietician salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 40th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like .

In USD as of September 1, 2016		60k	120k	180k
Nutrition/Dietician	$56,000	.

Missouri – $63,000
(Low Confidence (less than 75 sources))

Rank: 18th

Average Nutrition/Dietician salaries for job postings in Missouri are 2% lower than average Nutrition/Dietician salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 18th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like .

In USD as of September 1, 2016		60k	120k	180k
Nutrition/Dietician	$63,000	.

Mississippi – $67,000
(Low Confidence (less than 75 sources))

Rank: 9th

Average Nutrition/Dietician salaries for job postings in Mississippi are 5% higher than average Nutrition/Dietician salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 9th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like .

In USD as of September 1, 2016		60k	120k	180k
Nutrition/Dietician	$67,000	.

Montana – $54,000
(Low Confidence (less than 75 sources))

Rank: 42nd

Average Nutrition/Dietician salaries for job postings in Montana are 17% lower than average Nutrition/Dietician salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 42nd among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like .

In USD as of September 1, 2016		60k	120k	180k
Nutrition/Dietician	$54,000	.

North Carolina – $61,000
(Low Confidence (less than 75 sources))

Rank: 25th

Average Nutrition/Dietician salaries for job postings in North Carolina are 5% lower than average Nutrition/Dietician salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 25th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Kindred Healthcare.

In USD as of September 1, 2016		60k	120k	180k
Nutrition/Dietician	$61,000	.

North Dakota – $57,000
(Low Confidence (less than 75 sources))

Rank: 34th

Average Nutrition/Dietician salaries for job postings in North Dakota are 11% lower than average Nutrition/Dietician salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 34th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like .

In USD as of September 1, 2016		60k	120k	180k
Nutrition/Dietician	$57,000	.

Nebraska – $47,000
(Low Confidence (less than 75 sources))

Rank: 48th

Average Nutrition/Dietician salaries for job postings in Nebraska are 27% lower than average Nutrition/Dietician salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 48th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like .

In USD as of September 1, 2016		60k	120k	180k
Nutrition/Dietician	$47,000	.

New Hampshire – $64,000
(Low Confidence (less than 75 sources))

Rank: 16th

Average Nutrition/Dietician salaries for job postings in New Hampshire are 1% lower than average Nutrition/Dietician salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 16th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like .

In USD as of September 1, 2016		60k	120k	180k
Nutrition/Dietician	$64,000	.

New Jersey – $70,000
(Low Confidence (less than 75 sources))

Rank: 7th

Average Nutrition/Dietician salaries for job postings in New Jersey are 8% higher than average Nutrition/Dietician salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 7th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like .

In USD as of September 1, 2016		60k	120k	180k
Nutrition/Dietician	$70,000	.

New Mexico – $56,000
(Low Confidence (less than 75 sources))

Rank: 41st

Average Nutrition/Dietician salaries for job postings in New Mexico are 13% lower than average Nutrition/Dietician salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 41st among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like .

In USD as of September 1, 2016		60k	120k	180k
Nutrition/Dietician	$56,000	.

Nevada – $49,000
(Low Confidence (less than 75 sources))

Rank: 46th

Average Nutrition/Dietician salaries for job postings in Nevada are 24% lower than average Nutrition/Dietician salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 46th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like .

In USD as of September 1, 2016		60k	120k	180k
Nutrition/Dietician	$49,000	.

New York – $78,000
(Low Confidence (less than 75 sources))

Rank: 3rd

Average Nutrition/Dietician salaries for job postings in New York State are 21% higher than average Nutrition/Dietician salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 3rd among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like .

In USD as of September 1, 2016		60k	120k	180k
Nutrition/Dietician	$78,000	.

Ohio – $62,000
(Low Confidence (less than 75 sources))

Rank: 22nd

Average Nutrition/Dietician salaries for job postings in Ohio are 4% lower than average Nutrition/Dietician salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 22nd among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like .

In USD as of September 1, 2016		60k	120k	180k
Nutrition/Dietician	$62,000	.

Oklahoma – $59,000
(Low Confidence (less than 75 sources))

Rank: 30th

Average Nutrition/Dietician salaries for job postings in Oklahoma are 8% lower than average Nutrition/Dietician salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 30th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like .

In USD as of September 1, 2016		60k	120k	180k
Nutrition/Dietician	$59,000	.

Oregon – $62,000
(Low Confidence (less than 75 sources))

Rank: 23rd

Average Nutrition/Dietician salaries for job postings in Oregon are 3% lower than average Nutrition/Dietician salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 23rd among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like .

In USD as of September 1, 2016		60k	120k	180k
Nutrition/Dietician	$62,000	.

Pennsylvania – $62,000
(Low Confidence (less than 75 sources))

Rank: 24th

Average Nutrition/Dietician salaries for job postings in Pennsylvania are 4% lower than average Nutrition/Dietician salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 24th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like .

In USD as of September 1, 2016		60k	120k	180k
Nutrition/Dietician	$62,000	.

Rhode Island – $59,000
(Low Confidence (less than 75 sources))

Rank: 31st

Average Nutrition/Dietician salaries for job postings in Rhode Island are 9% lower than average Nutrition/Dietician salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 31st among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like .

In USD as of September 1, 2016		60k	120k	180k
Nutrition/Dietician	$59,000	.

South Carolina – $64,000
(Low Confidence (less than 75 sources))

Rank: 17th

Average Nutrition/Dietician salaries for job postings in South Carolina are 1% lower than average Nutrition/Dietician salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 17th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like .

In USD as of September 1, 2016		60k	120k	180k
Nutrition/Dietician	$64,000	.

South Dakota – $49,000
(Low Confidence (less than 75 sources))

Rank: 47th

Average Nutrition/Dietician salaries for job postings in South Dakota are 25% lower than average Nutrition/Dietician salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 47th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like .

In USD as of September 1, 2016		60k	120k	180k
Nutrition/Dietician	$49,000	.

Tennessee – $60,000
(Low Confidence (less than 75 sources))

Rank: 27th

Average Nutrition/Dietician salaries for job postings in Tennessee are 7% lower than average Nutrition/Dietician salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 27th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like .

In USD as of September 1, 2016		60k	120k	180k
Nutrition/Dietician	$60,000	.

Texas – $63,000
(Low Confidence (less than 75 sources))

Rank: 19th

Average Nutrition/Dietician salaries for job postings in Texas are 3% lower than average Nutrition/Dietician salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 19th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like .

In USD as of September 1, 2016		60k	120k	180k
Nutrition/Dietician	$63,000	.

Utah – $50,000
(Low Confidence (less than 75 sources))

Rank: 45th

Average Nutrition/Dietician salaries for job postings in Utah are 22% lower than average Nutrition/Dietician salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 45th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like .

In USD as of September 1, 2016		60k	120k	180k
Nutrition/Dietician	$50,000	.

Virginia – $65,000
(Low Confidence (less than 75 sources))

Rank: 14th

Average Nutrition/Dietician salaries for job postings in Virginia are 1% higher than average Nutrition/Dietician salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 14th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like .

In USD as of September 1, 2016		60k	120k	180k
Nutrition/Dietician	$65,000	.

Vermont – $57,000
(Low Confidence (less than 75 sources))

Rank: 35th

Average Nutrition/Dietician salaries for job postings in Vermont are 12% lower than average Nutrition/Dietician salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 35th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like .

In USD as of September 1, 2016		60k	120k	180k
Nutrition/Dietician	$57,000	.

Washington – $67,000
(Low Confidence (less than 75 sources))

Rank: 10th

Average Nutrition/Dietician salaries for job postings in Washington State are 3% higher than average Nutrition/Dietician salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 10th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Kindred Healthcare and Virginia Mason.

In USD as of September 1, 2016		60k	120k	180k
Nutrition/Dietician	$67,000	.

Wisconsin – $57,000
(Low Confidence (less than 75 sources))

Rank: 36th

Average Nutrition/Dietician salaries for job postings in Wisconsin are 11% lower than average Nutrition/Dietician salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 36th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like .

In USD as of September 1, 2016		60k	120k	180k
Nutrition/Dietician	$57,000	.

West Virginia – $61,000
(Low Confidence (less than 75 sources))

Rank: 26th

Average Nutrition/Dietician salaries for job postings in West Virginia are 6% lower than average Nutrition/Dietician salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 26th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like .

In USD as of September 1, 2016		60k	120k	180k
Nutrition/Dietician	$61,000	.

Wyoming – $53,000
(Low Confidence (less than 75 sources))

Rank: 43rd

Average Nutrition/Dietician salaries for job postings in Wyoming are 17% lower than average Nutrition/Dietician salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 43rd among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like .